17:40 Salisbury

Saturday 13 July 2024

All17:4018:1518:4519:2019:5020:20

Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 1m 14.63s

(5)

Alpine Girl^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Rory Mulligan⁽³⁾| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 67| C| D

7/2

Course winner. In first-time hood, bounced back from a lesser run when winning 6-runner handicap at Lingfield (6f, good to firm, 11/4) 2 weeks ago. Remains on a workable mark based on last season's form. Respected.

Form: 435271

(2)

Dakota Power⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Courtney Thomas⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 65| C| D

7/2

Capitalised on his reduced mark when scoring here (7f) in May. Unproven at the longer trip when twelfth of 13 in handicap at Sandown (8f, good, 6/1) 8 days ago. Could fare better returned to this shorter distance.

Form: 707150

(1)

Arlecchino's Gift¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 62| D

17/2

Quickly left behind a below-par effort when winning 8-runner handicap (15/2) at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 12 days ago. Major player as he bids for a fourth victory of the year.

Form: 629141

(9)

The Cola Kid^b,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Joe Bradnam⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 57| D

17/2

Successful 3 times last year but has yet to fire this season, last of 7 in minor event (6/1) at Ffos Las (6f, good) 17 days ago. Others more persuasive at present.

Form: 17-5077

(8)

Media Guest^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Charlie Maggs| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 56| BF| D

9/2

Thirty runs since his only win back in 2021 but has been going through a good spell since fitted with cheekpieces, second of 9 in handicap at Bath (5f, good, 11/4) 28 days ago. Could be in the mix once more.

Form: 094222

(7)

Roman Spring^p⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Molly Gunn| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 55WS

12/1

Form has gone the wrong way this year, weakening quickly when fifth of 7 in handicap (12/1) at this C&D (heavy) 58 days ago. Has had a breathing operation since last time.

Form: 6-46685

(4)

Q Twenty Boy⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Alicia Perkins⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 51| D

15/2

Successful at Wolverhampton (6.1f) in April and has continued in decent heart since, not discredited back on turf when third of 8 in handicap (16/1) at Newbury (5.2f, good) 9 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 461353

(3)

Destiny's Spirit^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Shariq Mohd| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 45

9/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2022. Not seen to best effect when fifth of 14 in handicap (11/2) at Chepstow (6.1f, good) 26 days ago, nearest finish having been denied clear run. Still has work to do, though.

Form: 68-9555

Non-Runners

(6)

Symbol of Hope¹⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: J L Flint J: Fred Daly

Forecasts

Alpine Girl (7/2), Dakota Power (7/2), Media Guest (9/2), Symbol of Hope (7/1), Q Twenty Boy (15/2), The Cola Kid (17/2), Arlecchino's Gift (17/2), Destiny's Spirit (9/1), Roman Spring (12/1)

ARLECCHINOS'S GIFT has proved as good ever this year, wasting no time getting back to form when scoring at Wolverhampton 12 days ago, so he is taken to add to his tally for the season. Alpine Girl returned to winning ways with a hood applied on her latest outing and isn't taken lightly, with Media Guest completing the shortlist.